Test Administration Flashcards

Which of the following best describes 'vertical gaze nystagmus' (VGN) and when it is relevant during an SFST evaluation?

Answer: VGN may indicate high BAC or depressant intake and is checked after horizontal testing

VGN is checked as an additional indicator after horizontal testing and may suggest a very high BAC or the influence of certain depressants.

An officer observes a subject who is wearing 3-inch heels when asked to perform the Walk-and-Turn. The correct action is to:

Answer: Allow the subject to remove the shoes before testing

NHTSA protocol allows subjects wearing shoes with heels more than 2 inches high to remove them before performing the WAT to ensure a fair, valid test.

During the Walk-and-Turn, the subject takes 9 steps heel-to-toe, turns, and takes 9 steps back. How many steps is the subject supposed to take in each direction?

Answer: 9 steps

The standardized WAT requires 9 heel-to-toe steps forward and 9 heel-to-toe steps back along the line.

Which of the following is a valid reason to stop a One-Leg Stand before 30 seconds have elapsed?

Answer: The subject is at risk of falling and may be injured

Officer safety and subject welfare require stopping the test if the subject is at genuine risk of falling and injuring themselves.

When documenting SFST results, which approach best supports courtroom testimony?

Answer: Recording each specific clue observed with detailed behavioral descriptions

Specific, contemporaneous documentation of each observed clue with behavioral detail is most credible and defensible in court testimony.

A subject asks to repeat the WAT instructions before beginning the walking phase. Under NHTSA protocol, the officer should:

Answer: Repeat the instructions and start the instruction phase timing over

Officers may repeat instructions if the subject does not understand; the instruction phase is then restarted to ensure fair administration.

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between SFST results and a DUI arrest decision?

Answer: SFST results establish probable cause when combined with other observations

SFST results contribute to probable cause for arrest when considered alongside driving behavior, odor, statements, and other officer observations.